The late Pirates and Sundowns star remembered by fans 10 years after his passing away

It has been 10 years since South Africa lost one of its talents to a fatal car accident in 2007.

Gift “Vum Vum” Leremi was one of the most adored players in the country, who shone in both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns’ colours. He had just moved to Chloorkop when his untimely death struck and left millions of South Africans understandably in disbelief and heartbroken.

Recently, Supporters Club member Lerato Mkhondo posted a pic of Leremi on Facebook, and the reactions produced some good memories and a reminder that we indeed lost a talented player.

Here are some of the responses from fellow lovers of the beautiful game:

“You see, with this guy, we are talking about the real deal. He had so much talent and I don’t think he realised it. I will never forget his first goal against Santos, not too sure if it was the BP Top 8 or a league game, but Andre Arendse was the keeper. There was also another scorcher for the U23s in Eldorado Park, he was dropped from the Bafana Bafana team that went to Afcon under the late Ted Dumitru and joined up with the U23s, if I’m not mistaken. What a player he was.” – Mandla Zitha

“Big talent. The best of his generation!” – Sidney Moshikaro

“I remember, around 5 in the morning, they announced that a Sundowns player driving a Blue BMW had passed away but could not reveal his identity as the family had not been notified yet. I cried because I knew Gift was the only one driving that car at the time and at Chloorkop. Eish, mara Gift was special, guys! I think only Teko Modise comes close to him.” – Gomo Eazy Putu

“One of the players who could miss weeks of training and when he returns, it takes him two or three days for his fitness level to be on par with other players. LOL, he did not shy away from physical confrontations. I remember the day he wanted to beat up Alfred Maimane. I don’t know what Maimane had done but that day Gift was extremely furious.” – Kabelo Ramokoka